A hockey skate shouldn’t fit like a normal shoe. It should essentially be a second skin for your foot; something that stabilizes and provides a comfortable on-ice feel. With that being said, finding the perfect-fitting skate isn’t as cut-and-dry as trying it on. That’s why Bauer launched the 3D Skate Lab powered by Volumental.

As you step onto the machine your feet are scanned using the Bauer seven-point foot profile system. This series of algorithms determines the Bauer skate best suited for you, whether SUPREME, VAPOR or NEXUS.

“The first time I used this machine I was a little skeptical going into it,” explained a discounthockey.com employee in this video. “I was pretty positive that I knew exactly what skate I needed.”

The scanner told him he should be wearing a half-size smaller skate in a NEXUS as opposed to his usual VAPOR. It also suggested a slightly wider fit. “I’d never had any problems with squeezing on the sides of my feet but after trying on that NEXUS skate in 7.5, the half size down, I could tell there was a huge difference and it was actually the perfect fit.”

In this case they centered-in on the width of the foot. Other times they might focus on heel depth — it’s all dependent on each individual’s need.

Bauer plans on using the scanning technology with all their elite and pro player teams for the 2017-18 season. Given the portability of the lab they’ll also be taking it on the road in the U.K. to retailer events.

Getting scanned at your local Bauer dealer will put you in the same database as players like Patrick Kane, Jack Eichel and Auston Matthews.